Born in Tibet: a conversation with Tulku Choying Yeshi Rinpoche

Tulku Yeshi joins A State of Mind podcast and shares about his life, about being born and growing up in Tibet, as well as some points about the Buddhist teachings and reflections on the world today. About Tulku Choying Yeshi Rinpoche: Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche is a Dzogchen master and the reincarnation of Dzogchen Gyalt-sab Thodo Rinpoche. He received Tibetan Buddhism teachings and traditional Tibetan medicine from forty-five masters representing all five schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche is a highly trained Lama with an authentic and powerful lineage. He gives teachings and empowerments extensively across North America as well as internationally. Learn more about Tulku Yeshi at: https://www.facebook.com/Tulkuyeshirinpoche Partial List of Topics in Chronological Order: - The meaning of the word 'Rinpoche' - Rinpoche was born in Tibet during the horrific Cultural Revolution - There was no signs of religion allowed in China or Tibet during this time - Tibet started to rebuild in the 1980s - Tulku spent 10 years in different monasteries - At least 10-15% of the people, including meditation masters, who were sent to the Chinese Concentration Camps never came back. - How his mother practices every day, from waking up until sleep, even during the Cultural Revolution. - Impossible to know the reality on the ground in Tibet unless you are there. The media is very censored. - How modern culture and media and education has hurt traditional ways of life and spirituality. - How his family would gather together to chant and practice after dinner. - He joined the monastery at 14 years old - Vajrayana Buddhism emphasizes Pure Perception. - What is Pure Perception? - 3 Gates: Refuge, Bodhisattva, Vajrayana. - The key to the gate of Vajrayana is Empowerment. - Theravadin practice is like a black and white movie. Mahayana is like a full color movie. Vajrayana is like a three dimensional experience. - 'Buddhism' in the Tibetan language means 'inner' - How true reality that can be found there - Bhutan may be the happiest country in the world but it is still Samsara. - Tulku remembers the nomad life when he was young in Tibet. They had a good time but a very difficult life. - Advice around Anger - In general, anger is not healthy. - It is pointless to be angry at things you can't control - How the influence of Buddhism on Tibet politically and pacifism in general contributed to Tibet being taken over by China and subject to the Chinese state sponsored genocide and the destruction of traditional Tibetan ways of life. - The 84 Mahasiddhas - The importance of lineage in Buddhism. - Milarepa - Mixing your mind with the master's mind - How one does not need to see the Master in person - Rinpoche's advice on the use of Psychedelics - They did not have marijuana in Tibet, just alcohol and tobacco. - That great masters would use substances to help others - Sometimes practitioners would use a special massage oil to make the subtle body channels soft and flexible. - Using too much of any substance is dangerous. - Smoke in general is not allowed in Buddhism, but medicine is good when used properly. - Trungpa Rinpoche and his drinking - Trauma and spiritual practice - Be Mindful. A State of Mind Podcast: www.astateofmindpodcast.com Somatic & Trauma Informed Psychotherapy, Psychedelic assisted Therapy, Meditation training & more: www.astateofmindcounseling.org Support the show: www.patreon.com/astateofmind